Howard doesn’t have to be giddy about the red, white and blue. Not everyone is. But his reasoning is perplexing.

Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade all African-Americans, as were most of the members of Team USA, all stood proudly while the Star-Spangled Banner was played in Beijing.

Howard is no stranger to controversy or trouble.

In July, Howard was arrested and charged with speeding (94 mph in a 55 mph zone), careless and reckless driving and street racing in North Carolina. He was released from jail on a written promise to appear in court later this month.

The Mavs player also was criticized during last season’s first-round playoffs for saying in a radio interview that he occasionally smoked marijuana.

Later that series, he angered Coach Avery Johnson by throwing himself a birthday party after a loss.

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